Two men forced their way into an Aurora apartment at night, assaulted the victim and stole his phone and wallet before fleeing, according to charges.
Scott Fitzgerald Kesler, 37, of Minneapolis, faces three felony charges: first-degree burglary involving assault, aiding and abetting first-degree aggravated robbery and first-degree burglary of an occupied dwelling.
According to the complaint, the victim told officers that around 10 p.m. on August 24, two men came to his apartment door talking about money and a missed payment. The victim said he tried to shut the door, but the men forced their way inside and began hitting him. The men then took his pink iPhone and wallet before leaving.
READ MORE → Saint Louis County coverage
The victim used his Apple Watch to track his stolen phone to an address in Eveleth. He told officers he knew one of the men as JR Kesler. Officers asked the Eveleth Police Department whether it had any history with the men or the address, and it provided the name Scott Kesler.
The phone then moved to a second Eveleth address. Officers went there, where a male voice first asked whether they had a warrant and told them to go away before the property owner let them in. In the living room, officers found Kesler and took him into custody. The property owner, after searching through a bag that was not his, found a pink iPhone inside. Officers confirmed it was the victim’s stolen phone by turning it on and calling the number.
Later, the victim met with officers in person and described how, after the suspects forced their way in, Kesler held him in a chokehold while the other man went through his pockets and took his wallet and phone. Officers observed minor bruising on the victim’s neck.
Investigators also reviewed video footage from a neighbor’s camera. The video appeared to show a woman knocking on the victim’s door, a verbal argument and then Kesler adjusting the camera before a loud thud and yelling could be heard. Minutes later, Kesler, two other men and the woman left the area.
The charges were filed Thursday, August 27, in Saint Louis County District Court.
About This Charge
Minnesota distinguishes simple robbery (§ 609.24, up to 10 years) from aggravated robbery (§ 609.245), where a weapon or bodily harm is alleged. First-degree aggravated robbery carries up to 20 years; second-degree up to 15. Carjacking is charged under § 609.247.
Related MN CRIME Coverage
2 Charges Filed After Duluth Man Tries Pulling Woman From Truck • 4 Felony Counts for Duluth Man After Jeep Crash Kills 1 Passenger • Cloquet Man Accused of Strangling Victim, Demanding Knife
Jurisdictional Context
Saint Louis County is Minnesota’s largest county by area, stretching from Duluth to the Canadian border. The Saint Louis County Attorney’s Office prosecutes felonies through the Sixth Judicial District; cases are heard at the Saint Louis County Courthouse in Duluth and the Virginia courthouse for Iron Range cases.
